Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Weekend Overview
This weekend highlighted two distinct approaches to victory across the global tours. At the Sony Open, success resulted from discipline and precise execution, including effective wind management, maintaining ball control, and methodically converting opportunities. Waiʻalae rewarded players who adhered to their strategies, and the leaderboard demonstrated how rapidly outcomes can shift when a single aspect, particularly putting, falters.
In contrast, the DP World Tour concluded with a significantly more unpredictable outcome. The Dubai Invitational was characterized by frequent momentum shifts and intense late-round pressure, with multiple contenders maintaining or sharing the lead late into Sunday. Unlike the consistency observed in Hawaii, the Dubai event highlighted the importance of composure and decision-making under pressure, particularly during the closing holes.
Collectively, these two tournaments underscore that success on tour does not adhere to a single formula. Whether achieved through consistent control or by seizing late opportunities, each event required a distinct form of resilience.
Tour-By-Tour Recap
PGA TOUR
Event: Sony Open in Hawaii, Waiʻalae Country Club
Winner: Chris Gotterup
Score: -16
How They Won: Hitting stingers and finding fairways, Gotterup utilized his strengths, keeping the ball low, out of the wind, and in the fairway, leading the field in strokes gained off the tee. Solid putting would also help, as Gotterup made the second-most birdies in the field, behind Davis Riley.
Top 5: 1. Chris Gotterup 2. Ryan Gerard 3. Patrick Rodgers T4. Robert MacIntyre T4. Jacob Bridgeman
Storyline to Know: Chris Gotterup has now picked up a win in each of the last three seasons.
Davis Riley, who led after 54 holes, struggled on Sunday with two three-putt bogeys in a row and then a double bogey on the front nine. He had been making nearly every putt during the first three days and led the field in putting, gaining over 11 strokes. If he had managed to win, it would have been impressive since he was losing strokes off the tee.
Ryan Gerald has been playing well lately. After moving into the OWGR top 50, which qualifies him for The Masters, he finished second thanks to strong iron play and made the fifth most birdies in the field.
At 62, Vijay Singh used a money list exemption to secure his PGA Tour card for the 2026 season. He made the cut and finished tied for 40th.
Notable names to miss cut:
- Collin Morikawa
- Keegan Bradley
- Tony Finau
- Luke Clanton
- Chris Kirk
- Adrien Saddier
- Gary Woodland
- Neal Shipley
DP WORLD TOUR
Event: Dubai Invitational, Dubai Creek Resort
Winner: Nacho ELVIRA
Score: -10
How They Won: Elvira won the Dubai Invitational by one shot in dramatic fashion. A chaotic Sunday saw several players share the lead late, but Elvira held his nerve to finish at 10 under. He carded his first birdie of the back nine at the 17th to earn a one-shot lead.
Top 5: 1. Nacho Elvira 2. Daniel Hillier T3. Julien Gurrier T3. Shane Lowry T3. Rory McIlroy T3. David Puig
Storyline to Know: Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry appeared positioned to contend for the lead; however, critical errors on the 18th hole allowed Elvira to capitalize. McIlroy’s drive landed in the rough, hindering his recovery, while Lowry’s bunker shot resulted in a double bogey after finding the water.
Korn Ferry Tour Recap located HERE
WITB
According to https://www.witb.com/
Chris Gotterup:
Driver: Ping G440 LST 9°
3 Wood: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper 13.5°
5 Wood: TaylorMade Qi35 18°
Irons: Bridgestone Tour B 220 MB (4-9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG5 46° (SB), 52° (SB), 56° (SB), 60° (LB)
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X
Ball: 2026 Bridgestone Tour B X Mindset
Nacho Elvira:
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Max 7.5°
3 Wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max 14°
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW 25’ (19°)
Utility Iron: Callaway X Forged UT CF18 (24°)
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (5), Apex MB (6-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Wedgeworks 44°, Titleist Vokey SM10 50° & 54°, Titleist Vokey Wedgeworks Proto 58°
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Mini 1/2 Ball Prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Closing Thoughts
This week highlighted the fine margins of professional golf. On the PGA TOUR, sustained performance over four days proved decisive. On the DP World Tour, composure in the closing moments made all the difference. The outcomes reinforced how quickly momentum can swing, whether a leader struggles to adjust on Sunday or a contender opens the door with one costly mistake.
As the season continues, weeks like this serve as a benchmark. They show which players are building consistency, which are learning hard lessons under pressure, and how varied the challenges are from one tour to the next. It was a compelling weekend of golf, defined not just by who won but by how each tournament unfolded.
